The president of the German football federation, Wolfgang Niersbach, has admitted that their World Cup trophy was damaged during the team’s celebrations.

The champions were seen celebrating their win with, among others, Rihanna, who was pictured holding the trophy, despite Fifa directives saying that only winners of the tournament and heads of state can touch it.

The president of the German football federation, Wolfgang Niersbach, has admitted that their World Cup trophy was damaged during the team’s celebrations. (Photo: AP Photo/dpa, Jens Kalaene)

And now Niersbach has told Der Spiegel that the replica of the trophy given to the winners did not escape undamaged from that night in Rio. “A small piece was chipped off during the celebrations. But don’t worry. We have specialists who can repair this.”